Charlotte: Year-Round Veteran’s Perks

Today is Veterans Day (11/11), and it’s a day we set aside to honor our veterans who served in the military in the past and the present. Many restaurants are holding specials for veterans on Veterans Day.

When Veterans Day comes, we honor our veterans with parades and special events. But honoring and helping veterans is something that many places do year-round. Lots of businesses give veterans a discount all the time, and there are many places that help veterans with their health, finding jobs after their service, and much much more.

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is a Cabinet-level executive branch department of the federal government charged with providing lifelong healthcare services to eligible military veterans at the 170 VA medical centers and outpatient clinics located throughout the country. Non-healthcare benefits include disability compensation, vocational rehabilitation, education assistance, home loans, and life insurance. The VA also provides burial and memorial benefits to eligible veterans and family members at 135 national cemeteries.

While veterans' benefits have been provided by the federal government since the American Revolutionary War, a veteran-specific federal agency was not established until 1930, as the Veterans' Administration.

In 1982, its mission was expanded to include caring for civilians and people who were not veterans in case of a national emergency. In 1989, the Veterans' Administration became a cabinet-level Department of Veterans Affairs. The president appoints the secretary of Veterans Affairs, who is also a cabinet member, to lead the agency.

Right here in the Charlotte area, there are many places that help veterans, and we gathered just a few to share with you.

The Veterans Bridge Home provides support for veterans in the Charlotte/Metrolina area, including help with housing, healthcare, employment, and VA benefits.

The VSC helps veterans and their families by providing housing, employment, outreach, and more.

The Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy provides legal aid to low-income veterans and their families in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, and Union Counties.

Carowinds offers discounted admission to active and retired military members, veterans, reserves, and the National Guard year-round.

They offer a 10% Heroes Discount to service members, veterans, and first responders year-round.

North Carolina also offers a variety of benefits for veterans, including property tax exemptions, education, and tuition assistance, and state employment preferences.